Breakthrough research in spinal cord repair

According to PR Newswire and the Allen Institute of Brain Science, they have announced today the discovery of anew class of cells in the spinal cord that act like neural stem cells, offering, a fresh avenue in the search for therapies to treat spinal cord injury and disease.

So what does this mean?

“When we first saw known neural stem cell genes appearing in these cells on the edge of the cord, I realized we not only had a brand new cell, but had the capacity to reveal a new gene set that may also guide us to hidden neural stem cells in atypical locations in the brain. I did not expect so many of them to link to human diseases,” Dr. Roskams, neuroscientist at the University of British Columbia and senior author of the study, said.

To learn more, click here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-class-of-stem-cell-like-cells-discovered-in-spinal-cord-offers-possibilities-for-spinal-cord-repair-129882783.html